Most of the circumstances that people like friend John experience are caused by family problems, from sibling fights to the loss of a loved one, can be the disappointment of a love. Many only see the money to get rid of thirst or hunger, but the feelings, disappointment or nostalgia are in there, in the soul.
I once published a post on this subject but in Spanish, I do not know how it looked when I published it in English

https://steemit.com/steempress/@jadnven/concurso-de-cuentos-fotocuento-semana-9-un-viejo-errante (Español)

https://steemit.com/steempress/@jadnven/an-old-wanderer-photo-tales (English)